diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 987bc42..fe4792d 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ WORKDIR /app
 COPY package.json package-lock.json esbuild.config.js ./
 # Copy application source before build so esbuild can locate entry files
 COPY . .
-# Install all dependencies, build with esbuild, then remove devDeps
-RUN npm ci && npm run build && npm prune --production
+# Install all dependencies, create dist folder, build with esbuild, then remove devDeps
+RUN npm ci && mkdir -p dist && npm run build && npm prune --production
 
 # Expose the application port
 EXPOSE 3000